Winter 2024 Newsletter
Message from the Interim Vice-Provost, Faculty Affairs
Dear colleagues,
Happy New Year! My warmest welcome to returning and new faculty, contract lecturers, counselors, librarians and other academic staff. I hope this message finds you well and re-energized as you settle into the winter semester.
For me, taking a break from the fast pace of work in the OVPFA, my regular routine and everyday tasks has been incredibly refreshing. I trust that you are also able to return to your teaching, service and scholarly, research and creative activities with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.
The start of a new year is an ideal time to reflect on where we have been and where we are heading. There is always so much happening to and around us, but please take time to pause and reflect. Act with kindness, compassion and understanding and practice self-care. TMU would not be the vibrant, diverse community that it is without your commitment, hard work, and dedication. I am confident that together, we will continue to inspire and empower our students to achieve their highest potential.
As we dive into the winter term, let's embrace the opportunities for growth, learning and camaraderie that lie ahead. Take a reflexive stroll through The (external link) Image Centre (external link) , join us in our Let’s Talk… Series or Chairs & Directors Leadership Series, join a workshop at the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching or attend a mindfulness meditation session.
As always, my team and I are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out, I welcome the opportunity to meet, chat and collaborate.
Wishing you a productive and fulfilling winter semester.
Patrizia Albanese
Interim Vice-Provost, Faculty Affairs
Bargaining Update
Following bargaining over the spring and summer 2023, TMU and the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) engaged in conciliation (external link) with representatives from the Ministry of Labour in September 2023. With the issuance of the "no board report" by the ministry, the parties have moved to the interest arbitration (external link) phase of bargaining.
Interest arbitration is the final stage of the bargaining process at TMU and is governed by Article 2.3 of the Collective Agreement. In interest arbitration, outstanding issues are referred to a jointly agreed upon arbitrator who will make a legally binding award.
In advance of the formal interest arbitration process, the university and the TFA met on December 16 and 17, 2023, with the arbitrator playing a mediator role. While some major issues remain outstanding, some positive progress was made on several items, including a number where the issues had previously been narrowed in bargaining.
The next stage is interest arbitration and April 27 and 28 have been set with the arbitrator as hearing dates.
The university, in keeping with our values in collective bargaining, is committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue with the TFA. We are also committed to reaching a fair settlement that meets the needs of both the university and the association.
Exploring Leadership at TMU
Annette Bailey (she/her)
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Internationalization, Faculty of Community Services and Associate Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
A Q&A with Annette on her career journey at TMU and her advice for faculty looking to take on leadership roles.
Meet Ashley Jane Lewis, a TMU Black Scholar
Black scholars are among the most underrepresented in postdoctoral positions, tenured faculty positions and in university leadership.
In an effort to address this and respond to recommendations of the (PDF file) Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, TMU launched the Post-Doctoral Fellowships for Black Scholars program.
Of the four inaugural recipients of the fellowship is Ashley Jane Lewis, a new media artist and creative technologist.
Read this profile to learn more about Ashley, her research and how she is exploring new futures through science, technology and storytelling.
News and Updates
NEW: Hiring recommendation in virtual portal
We are pleased to announce that the hiring recommendation for faculty, librarian and counsellor positions may now be submitted directly in the recruitment portal by following a few simple steps. Learn more.
Deadline extended: Empowering Women in Academia @TMU
The call for proposals is now open for the Empowering Women in Academia @TMU series. This new initiative will engage female-identifying and non-binary academic staff undertaking innovative, ground-breaking and equity-based initiatives in a variety of areas.
Please submit your proposal by filling out this (google form) google form (external link) by Friday, February 16, 2024. Submissions are limited to one proposal per person. All submissions will be reviewed and those selected will be contacted directly by the Office of the Provost by Friday, February 23, 2024.
Annual space audits of teaching spaces
Facilities Management and Development (“Facilities”) and the University Planning Office (UPO) are conducting audits of teaching spaces to collect facility data. The audit informs a variety of operational and service-planning activities carried out by the university and fulfils our requirement to contribute to the Council of Ontario Universities’ triennial survey.
Student auditors will briefly audit classrooms and undergraduate labs with a quick visual scan through the window or at the doorway of each room. This will take place at varied intervals over several weeks and the auditors will make every effort to avoid disrupting in-class activities.
School of Medicine newsletter
Stay up to date with the School of Medicine. Sign-up (external link) for their mailing list to receive updates on planning, recruitment and how to get involved.
Resources
Resources for new faculty and academic staff
New to TMU? Check out our new faculty and academic staff resources page for information on orientation, getting to know TMU, moving to Toronto and much more.
Inclusive excellence in academic life at TMU
Resources and tools to promote awareness, education and action in the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in academic recruitment and evaluation at TMU.
Hiring committee resources
On a hiring committee this semester, or looking to join in the future? Take a look at our hiring committee processes and resources webpage.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) (external link)
Don't forget, as part of TMU's continued mission to provide diversity information and professional development, we are an institutional member of the NCFDD. To learn more and to activate your membership visit the OVPFA website.
Check out their free 14-day writing challenge (external link) which offers a structured framework to connect you with your weekday academic pursuits and cultivate a consistent writing routine. Register for their spring 2024 session by February 16. Or register for their summer Faculty Success Program by April 5, 2024 to save $400 with the early bird discount.